Off-duty SAPD officer crashes into Kirby police cruiser, charged with DWI

Armando Alvarado Jr. on administrative leave; Kirby officer OK

KIRBY, Texas – An off-duty San Antonio police officer was charged with DWI early Friday morning after he crashed his pickup truck into a Kirby police cruiser, injuring the Kirby officer, investigators say.

Armando Alvarado Jr., 40, was taken into custody by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office.

The accident occurred around 3:30 a.m. in the 5500 block of FM 78.

Investigators said the 37-year-old Kirby officer was inside his patrol unit writing up a traffic warning ticket when Alvarado crashed his truck into the patrol unit. Emergency crews took the injured officer to Northeast Methodist Hospital where he was treated and released.

A San Antonio Police Department spokesperson said that police Chief William McManus is aware of the incident.

Alvarado, a patrol officer, will be placed on administrative leave pending investigation, the SAPD spokesperson said.

Officials said the driver of the initial traffic violation stayed at the scene with the officer until help arrived.

According to a blood draw warrant obtained by KSAT 12 News, Alvarado had slurred speech, was swaying on his feet and refused to complete a field sobriety test.

Alvarado denied crashing his truck into the Kirby Police patrol vehicle and said he had instead stopped to render aid, according to the warrant.

Alvarado then accused the injured Kirby officer of being intoxicated, according to the warrant.

Alvarado refused to provide a breath specimen and the warrant was obtained to get a sample of his blood for testing, according to the report.

The Kirby officer has been with the force for seven years.

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About the Authors:

Ben Spicer is a digital journalist who works the early morning shift for KSAT.

Emmy-award winning reporter Dillon Collier joined KSAT Investigates in September 2016. Dillon's investigative stories air weeknights on the Nightbeat and on the Six O'Clock News. Dillon is a two-time Houston Press Club Journalist of the Year and a Texas Associated Press Broadcasters Reporter of the Year.